About RoamFound

RoamFound is a project to build the most useful free guide to outdoor places in America. We started from a frustration we'd had repeatedly: planning a weekend trip, knowing there must be something good within driving distance, and spending an hour clicking through Reddit threads, Pinterest, dead Wordpress blogs, and outdated forum posts to find it. The information exists. It's just scattered, often stale, and presented from one person's narrow perspective.

What we cover

Coverage builds out from waterfalls, hiking trails, hot springs, swimming holes, fishing spots, kayaking access points, and scenic drives. Each place gets the practical stuff that matters when you're actually trying to go:

  • Drive time from nearby major cities
  • Parking situation, fees, and access notes
  • Whether dogs, kids, and beginners are well-served
  • Seasonal flow, water safety, and best months to visit
  • What to bring, and what to skip
  • Real photos, not stock

How we build it

The data spine comes from public sources: the U.S. Geological Survey's Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, OpenStreetMap, and per-state parks departments. We layer that with Wikipedia where it has depth, and our own research where it doesn't. Coverage is built city-by-city, expanding through 2026.

Where we earn revenue, it's transparent: contextual links to accommodation if you're driving in from out of town (we earn a small commission, you don't pay more), and ads on some pages. We will never recommend a place we haven't validated, and we will never put paid placements above genuine recommendations. See the methodology page for the full sourcing approach.

Who's behind it

RoamFound is built by Jarrod Coey, an Australian software developer who has been building a network of niche directory and reference sites since 2024. The portfolio includes directories of GPs, dental clinics, and NDIS providers in Australia, plus a directory of every documented Australian lighthouse with visiting information, and (closer to home for U.S. visitors) BackyardADU — a California-focused accessory dwelling unit directory launched in April 2026. The methodology, transparency, and city-by-city pattern are the same.

Get in touch

If you have a correction, a place we're missing, or a partnership idea, write to us via the contact page. We read everything.